PROVIDENCE COLLEGE DRAWS NO. 7 SETON HALL IN FIRST ROUND OF THE BIG EAST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ... The Providence College women's basketball team has claimed the No. 10 seed in the 2014 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Championship, and will face No. 7 seed Seton Hall on Saturday, March 8. The game will be played at McGrath-Phillips Arena on the campus of DePaul University in Chicago, Ill. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 p.m. (CT) / 5:00 p.m. (ET).

TUNE IN... Live streaming audio of the Providence vs. Seton Hall game will be available via Friars All-Access at www.Friars.com. Play-by-play will be provided by Chris Fama. The pre-game show will start at 4:55 p.m. (ET).

ALL-TIME VS. SETON HALL... The Friars and Pirates have met 56 times during the history of the two women's basketball programs, and the all-time series is tied, 28-28. However, Seton Hall has earned victories in each of the last three meetings.

ALL-TIME VS. SETON HALL IN THE BIG EAST TOURNAMENT... The Friars and Pirates have met three times in the BIG EAST Tournament. Seton Hall has recorded a 2-1 advantage in those games. During each of the three meetings at the tournament, the lower seeded team has earned the victory.

LAST TIME THE FRIARS WON A BIG EAST TOURNAMENT GAME... The last time the Friars won a BIG EAST Tournament game dates back to March 3, 2001 at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. On that day, the 11th-seeded Friars defeated No. 6 seed Seton Hall, 72-61.

ALEXIS HARRIS EARNS ALL-BIG EAST SECOND-TEAM HONORS... The BIG EAST Conference announced its list of post-season award winners on March 5. Junior forward Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team. Harris heads into the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Championship averaging 14.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal per game for the Friars, and is leading the team in field goal percentage (0.472, 161-341). Harris ranks second in the league in double-doubles with 12, and is one of four players in the BIG EAST to record multiple 30+ point games. She also has reached double figures in the scoring column 23 times, including each of the last six games. Additionally, Harris’ 248 rebounds this season rank 13th all-time for a single-season in program history, and is the third-highest single-season rebounding total in the last 20 years. Harris notched a career-high 31 points against UMass Lowell in the Friars’ season opener on Nov. 9 and hit the 30-point mark for a second time against Seton Hall on Jan. 25. In all, Harris recorded five, 20+ point games, including four during BIG EAST regular-season play.

SARAH BEAL EARNS UNANIMOUS SELECTION TO BIG EAST ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM... The BIG EAST Conference announced its list of post-season award winners on March 5. Rookie point guard Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) earned unanimous selection to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Beal started 28 games for the Friars in her rookie campaign and is currently averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Her 135 assists this season is tied for third-most by a freshman in program history, and is tied for the most assists in a single-season in the last 17 years by a Friar. She is one of 10 players in the BIG EAST to dish 100+ assists in 2013-14, and currently ranks fifth overall among league players in assists per game (4.7 apg). Beal has recorded 21 double-digit scoring games, including four, 20+ point games. She scored a career-best 27 points against Marquette on Jan. 21, and recorded her first career double-double against Butler on Jan. 28 with 13 points and 13 assists. Her 13 assists mark the highest single-game total by a BIG EAST player this season, and was one hand-out shy of the BIG EAST single-game record by a freshman (14). Beal has dished 5+ assists in 13 games overall.

IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD START... The Friars are 7-3 this season when they lead their opponent at halftime. Providence is 0-18 on the year when trailing at the half. The last time Providence held a halftime lead was on Feb. 22 vs. Xavier (20-18). The Friars defeated the Musketeers, 61-59.

EIGHT OF LAST 10 GAMES AT THE HALF... The score differential at halftime during eight of the Friars' last 10 games has been a margin of three points or less. Providence has trailed in six of those eight games, while taking a lead into the break in two games vs. Seton Hall (39-38) on Feb. 18 and Xavier (20-18) on Feb. 22.

GETTING OVER THE HUMP... Seventeen of the Friars' 29 games this season have been decided by 10 points or less and Providence holds a 4-13 record in those games, including a 2-9 mark vs. BIG EAST opponents.

FRIARS ENTER BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP AS THE NO. 10 SEED... Providence will enter the 2014 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Championship as the No. 10 seed. The Friars will face the No. 7 seed Seton Hall Pirates on March 8 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)/4:00 p.m (CT). The first-round game will be played at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago, Ill. The winner of the game will advance to the quarterfinals on March 9 to face No. 2 seed St. John's. DePaul has captured the BIG EAST Regular-Season title, and will enter tournament play as the No. 1 seed.

MADE FOR THE MOMENT... Junior guard Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) appeared in her first-ever BIG EAST Tournament game last season on March 8, 2013 in Hartford, Conn. Rule finished the game with a career-high 35 points on 11-24 shooting, including a 10-20 performance from three-point territory. Rule's 10 three pointers set a Providence College and BIG EAST Tournament single-game record. She is just the second Friar in program history to score 30+ points in a BIG EAST Tournament game, and her 35 points stands as the highest point total by a Friar in tournament history. Sonya Lewis '97 scored 30+ points twice during the BIG EAST Tournament (31 vs. Boston College on 3/5/93 and 33 vs. Georgetown on 3/6/93).

ALEXIS HARRIS REGISTERS TEAM-BEST 12th DOUBLE-DOUBLE... Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) recorded her team-best 12th double-double on March 1 against Georgetown with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It also marked her sixth career double-double in BIG EAST regular-season play. Harris is second in the BIG EAST in double-doubles behind Georgetown's Natalie Butler (23).

EVI IISKOLA AND SARAH BEAL JOIN HARRIS WITH DOUBLE-DOUBLES... Aside from junior Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.), who leads the team with 12 double-doubles, Friar sophomore Evi Iiskola (Espoo, Finland) and freshman Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) are the only other players on the roster to record a double-double this season. Iiskola tallied 19 points and 10 rebounds vs. UMass Lowell (11/9). Beal scored 13 points and dished a career-high 13 assists against Butler (1/28). She is the third player in the BIG EAST this season to record a double-double by virtue of points and assists, and the only one to do it during regular-season league play.

MILESTONE ON THE HORIZON... Junior Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) enters BIG EAST Tournament play with 918 career points, leaving her 82 points shy of the 1,000-point milestone. Rule is looking to become the 32nd player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark. Symone Roberts '13 was the last to eclipse the milestone during the 2012-13 campaign, finishing her career 24th on the Friars' all-time scoring list with 1,074 points.

200+ BOARDS... Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) has pulled down a career-high 248 rebounds this season. Her previous career best for a single season was 156 (2012-13). She is just the fifth player in the last 15 years to record 200+ rebounds in a single-season. Additionally, Harris’ 248 rebounds rank 13th all-time for a single-season in program history, and is the third-highest single-season rebounding total in the last 20 years.

CLOSING IN ON SOME GOOD COMPANY... Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) has recorded 248 rebounds this season. She is six rebounds shy of tying Nadine Malcolm '97 for the third-most rebounds in program history by a junior. Malcolm is currently third on the list with 254 boards. The program's all-time rebounding leader Britt King '86, holds the single-season rebounding record for a junior, with 398. Andrea Mangum '90 is second on the list, with 265.

MORE BOARDS... Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) is currently averaging 8.9 rebounds per game. It marks the third-highest rebounding average by a junior in program history. Britt King '86, averaged 14.2 rebounds per game as a junior during the 1984-85 season, which also marks a single-season record in the program's 40-year history. Nadine Malcolm '97 averaged 9.8 rebounds as a junior in 1995-96, and sits in second place on the list.

BLOCK PARTY... Aliyah Miller (Southaven, Miss.) enters the BIG EAST Tournament with 26 blocks. She is tied for third place in blocked shots among freshmen all-time in the program's 40 year history. Lauren Okafor and Emily Cournoyer '10 also registered 26 blocks as freshmen. Andrea Mangum '90 holds the freshman record for blocks, with 41. Britt King '86 is second on the list (36).

30 SOMETHING... Providence College forward Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.), Tabatha Richardson-Smith (Seton Hall), Katherine Plouffe (Marquette) and Marissa Janning (Creighton) are the only players in the BIG EAST to reach 30 points in multiple games this season. Harris dropped a career-high 31 points in the Friars' season opener vs. UMass Lowell on November 9. She netted 30 points against BIG EAST foe Seton Hall on January 25. There have been 12, 30+ point games overall by BIG EAST players this season, and the Friars account for three of them. Junior guard Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) scored 32 points against Dartmouth (11/18).

30-POINT HISTORY... Juniors Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) and Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) have each scored 30+ points in a single game this season. It's the first time since the 1989-90 campaign that two different players have eclipsed the 30-point mark. That year, Dottie VanGheem recorded three, 30+ point games, while Andrea Mangum hit the milestone once.

SARAH BEAL'S 135 ASSISTS ARE THIRD-MOST ALL-TIME BY A FRESHMAN AT PROVIDENCE COLLEGE... Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) has dished 135 assists this season for the Friars. Her 135 assists currently rank third all-time by a freshman at Providence, and also is tied for the most assists in a single-season by a Friar in the last 17 years. Mandy Saunders '98 holds the record for assists by a freshman at Providence, with 171. Shanya Evans '91 ranks second on the list with 136. Beal recently passed Mary Ann McCoy '80 (112). Beal needs just two assists to take sole possession of second place.

100-ASSISTS IN THE LAST DECADE... Freshman point guard Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) surpassed the 100-assist mark on Feb. 5 vs. Villanova. Heading into the BIG EAST Tournament, Beal owns 135 hand-outs. She is just the fourth Friar in the last decade to dish 100+ assists in a season. Kendria Holmes achieved the feat in consecutive seasons (2006-07, 2007-08) with 103 and 117, respectively. Lola Wells '12 handed out 101 assists in 2010-11. Symone Roberts '13 recorded 135 assists a season ago (2012-13).

BEAL THREATENS BIG EAST SINGLE-GAME FRESHMAN ASSIST MARK... Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) was one assist shy of tying the BIG EAST single-game freshman assist record on Jan. 28 vs. Butler, with a career-best 13 hand-outs. Providence's Mandy Saunders '98 established the current record for a freshmen on Jan. 12, 1994 vs. Syracuse, with 14 assists. Margaret McKeon (St. John's) owns the conference's single-game assist record (18 vs. Georgetown - 1/16/91). Beal's 13 assists are the most by a BIG EAST player in a single-game this season.

LUCKY 13... Freshman point guard Sarah Beal's 13 assists vs. Butler on Jan. 28 are the most by a Providence College player in a single game since November 20, 1999. On that day, Dee Cummings dished 15 dimes against George Mason.

20-POINT GAMES... Four Friars have recorded 20+ points in the scoring column this season. Junior guard Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) leads the team with eight 20+ point games. Junior forward Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) is second on the team with five, while freshman point guard Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) has hit 20+ points four times. Junior guard Karin Robinson (Jamaica, N.Y.) has scored 20+ points twice.

SARAH BEAL TABBED BIG EAST FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK TO CLOSE THE REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE ... Sarah Beal was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week for the second time this season on March 5. Beal previously earned the honor on Jan. 27. Beal became the first Friar since Chelsea Marandola ‘10 to earn Freshman of the Week accolades, dating back to December 26, 2005. Last week, Beal averaged 17.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game last week in games vs. Georgetown and St. John’s. She shot 12-25 from the floor (.480), including 5-10 from three-point territory (.500), and hit 5-7 free throws (.714). Beal led the Friars with 23 points, seven assists and two steals vs. the Hoyas. She scored 17 of her 23 points in the second half and also contributed five rebounds. Her eight field goals (8-14) match her career high for a single game. Against St. John’s, Beal posted 11 points, six rebounds and two assists. Her two assists give her a grand total of 135 hand-outs on the season. Her 135 assists this season is tied for third-most by a freshman in program history, and is tied for the most assists in a single-season in the last 17 years by a Friar.

ALEXIS HARRIS NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL FOR SIXTH TIME ON FEB. 24... Junior forward Alexis Harris (Detroit, Mich.) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the sixth time this season on Feb. 24. The previous week, Harris averaged a double-double for the Friars with 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She also contributed 2.5 blocks and 2.0 assists per contest. She shot 46.7-percent from the field (14-30) overall and hit 10-15 free-throws (66.7-percent). Harris started the week with a game-high 26 points and 10 boards vs. Seton Hall on Feb. 18, in addition to three assists one block and one steal. On Feb. 22, Harris posted 12 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over Xavier. She also recorded an assist on the game-winning basket, scored by Evi Iiskola with 19-seconds remaining in the game. Harris was previously named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on 11/18, 12/23, 1/6, 1/13 and 1/27.

TORI RULE NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Providence College junior guard Tori Rule (Minneapolis, Minn.) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, January 20, for her performance the previous week vs. Georgetown and Xavier. Rule averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 rebounds last week, shooting 7-of-13 from three-point territory (53.8-percent). Rule notched 19 points in a victory over Georgetown on Jan. 15 and followed with a game-high 18 points against Xavier on Jan. 18. The Friars' victory over Georgetown snapped a streak of 12-straight losses to the Hoyas. Rule has earned BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognition three times on the year (12/9, 12/30 and 1/20). She also was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on November 25, and was one of 10 players named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team in October.

IRON WOMEN... Last season, Evi Iiskola (Espoo, Finland) set a Providence College record for minutes played by a freshman with 1,027. This season, freshman point guard Sarah Beal (Matthews, N.C.) moved into third all-time in minutes played by a freshman. Beal currently leads the Friars in minutes played (954). Joining Iiskola and Beal on the list in second place is Mandy Saunders '98 (997). Tracy Lis '92 falls to fourth (951).

20+ ASSISTS... The Friars have dished 20+ assists in four games this season, heading into the BIG EAST Tournament. Prior to this season, the Friars played 81-straight games without reaching 20 assists. The last time Providence recorded 20+ assists in a game, prior to the 2013-14 season, dates back to Dec. 1, 2010 (20 vs. Yale).

FRIARS' 28 ASSISTS VS. BRYANT ARE THE MOST IN A SINGLE GAME SINCE JANUARY 21, 1998... The Friars recorded 28 assists during their victory against Bryant on November 12. It marks the most assists in a single game for Providence since January 21, 1998. On that day, Providence dished 29 assists in a 103-92 loss to West Virginia. Providence has dished 20+ assists in four of its 29 games this season.

FRIARS RECORD 100+ POINTS IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES... The Friars scored 100+ points in back-to-back games to start the season. The last time Providence scored 100+ points in back-to-back games was during the 1993-94 season. The Friars' 109 points against UMass Lowell and 104 points against Bryant mark the 48th and 49th, 100-point games in program history (1,134 games all-time).

FRIARS' 38 FIELD GOALS MADE VS. UMASS LOWELL ARE MOST SINCE FEBRUARY 10, 2007... The Friars connected on 38-of-79 attempts from the field in their season-opening victory against UMass Lowell on November 9. It marks the most field goals made in a single game since February 10, 2007 against St. John's. On that day, the Friars hit 38-of-79 attempts from the floor in a 93-77 victory.

FRIARS HIT 17 THREE-POINT BUCKETS IN WIN OVER BRYANT... The Friars hit 17-of-33 (51.5-percent) attempts from three-point range in a 104-67 victory over Bryant on November 12. The Friars' 17 three-pointers are the most by Providence in a single game, using statistics available beginning with the 1996-97 season. The NCAA introduced the three-point line during the 1986-87 season.

FRIARS' 109 POINTS MOST SINCE JANUARY 3, 1992... The Friars' 109 points vs. UMass Lowell are the most scored by the team since January 3, 1992. On that day, the Friars defeated Pittsburgh, 109-90, in Providence, R.I. Earlier that same season, Providence notched 116 points in a victory over Ball State on November 30 (116-80).

THE LAST TIME PROVIDENCE HIT TRIPLE DIGITS PRIOR TO 2013-14 SEASON... The last time Providence scored 100+ points in a game, prior to the 2013-14 season, was on January 3, 2007. The Friars defeated Louisville, 106-94, in double-overtime.

LAST TIME PROVIDENCE SCORED 100+ POINT IN A GAME OF REGULATION LENGTH PRIOR TO 2013-14 SEASON... The last time Providence scored 100+ points in a game of regulation length (40 minutes), prior to 2013-14 season, dates back to December 30, 1998. On that day, Providence defeated West Virginia, 100-95, in Providence, R.I.

FRIARS RECORD LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY SINCE 1997... The Friars 37-point victory over Bryant on November 12 (104-67), marks the largest margin of victory for the Friars since defeating Puerto Rico, 88-45 (+43), on November 28, 1997 at the San Juan Shoot-out in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

FRIARS' 65 REBOUNDS VS. UMASS LOWELL TIES PROVIDENCE COLLEGE SINGLE-GAME RECORD... The Friars recorded 65 rebounds against UMass Lowell on November 9. The Friars' 65 boards tie the program record for rebounds in a single-game at Providence College. Last season, the Friars recorded 65 rebounds against Villanova (1/23/13).

FRIARS CELEBRATE 40th SEASON OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AT PROVIDENCE COLLEGE... The 2013-14 campaign marks the 40th season of women's basketball at Providence College, which coincides with the start of a new era of BIG EAST Conference basketball. The program's first season of "varsity" competition was during the 1974-75 season, under the direction of Head Coach Kay McDonald. Providence finished its inaugural season with a 9-4 overall record.

WBCA JUNIOR/COMMUNITY COLLEGE COACHES' ALL-AMERICAN KARIN ROBINSON JOINS FRIARS FOR 2013-14 SEASON... Junior Karin Robinson (Jamaica, N.Y.) joins the Friars for her first season of NCAA Division I women's basketball after spending the last two seasons at the community college level. She began her career at Coffeyville Community College (2011-12), and played the 2012-13 season at Monroe Community College. Robinson averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game at Monroe CC and was one of just 10 players named to the 2013 WBCA Junior/Community College All-America Team. This season, Robinson is averaging 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Robinson has played in 26 of the Friars’ 29 games (missed three games due to injury). She scored a career-high 23 points against Butler on January 1 in her BIG EAST debut, and tallied 21 points vs. St. John's on February 8.

TRANSFER SHEQUANA HARRIS TO SIT OUT AFTER PLAYING 2012-13 SEASON AT CHARLOTTE... Sophomore Shequana Harris (Bronx, N.Y.) will sit out the 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Harris played the 2012-13 season at Charlotte and enrolled at Providence College this past summer. While at Charlotte, Harris saw action in 17 games as a freshman and averaged 1.7 points per game. Prior to college, she attended Murry Bergtraum High School in New York, where she was named 2012 New York City Player of the Year by the New York Post. She also was rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN/Hoopgurlz as a senior.

WHAT'S NEXT... The winner of Saturday's BIG EAST First-Round match-up will face No. 2 seed St. John's University in the BIG EAST Quarterfinals on Sunday, March 9 at Noon. All BIG EAST Tournament games scheduled March 9 (Quarterfinals), March 10 (Semifinals) and March 11 (Championship Game) will be played at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. A tournament bracket is located on Page 7 of the game notes.